“Yes. He works here. I think he’s one of the department heads.”
“And he recognized you?” I asked, amazed.
“Yes. He was stunned when he saw me. He recognized me immediately, even after more than ten years.”
“I wouldn’t forget you either,” I smiled at her. “But what was he doing there? I mean – at the hospital.”
“I don’t know, but he was there.”
“He didn’t ask what you were doing there?”
“Someone told him I’m your wife.”
“How do you want to handle this?”
“Ignore it. For your sake – and for mine.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. And I promise never to speak of it again.”
Chapter 42
Certificate
Within about a week, we managed to organize the apartment, obtain a resident’s certificate, an essential worker permit, and even an official permit from the IDF for private practice. I divided my time between the hospital and the army, and very quickly, I became busier than I had ever been. Lily, meanwhile, was in fine spirits. She delighted in the breathtaking view from our apartment windows and even began to paint it – or more accurately, to paint under its influence.
One day, she phoned me, her voice disappointed, asking me to come home at noon without explaining why. I was worried.
“You told me this was the only city in the country with unlimited opportunities! Do you remember?” she challenged me the moment I stepped inside.
“Yes,” I replied, not understanding what had happened.
“Maybe for you! Look how busy you are.”
“And why not for you? Didn’t you say you’d check out a painting class at the municipality?” I tried to understand what had triggered the sudden outburst.
“I went to the education department at city hall, and Ali from the department asked me a lot of questions. In the end, he said that to meet the minimum criteria of the department, and to join the college, I needed a university degree.”
“A university degree?” I repeated, not quite following where this was going.
“Yes!”
“Wasn’t it enough that you graduated from the Avni Art Institute with honors, with the Sharett Foundation prize?”
“Apparently not,” she answered in frustration, beginning to tear up.
“Let me talk to this Ali. I promise you it will be resolved.” To me, this made no sense.
I returned to base and phoned Ali. He apologized and repeated what he had told Lily – that as far as he was concerned, she was suitable, but the college required a bachelor’s degree in order to join.
“And it doesn’t matter in what field?”
“Not at all.”
“Even economics?”
“Yes.”
